Georgia Political News for Feb. 28, 2012

Georgia Political News for Feb. 28, 2012

Tiana is about 5 months old and 20# and is a recent arrival at Walton County Animal Control. She’s described as a “spunky, playful girl” who looks to be mostly German Shepherd. Walton Animal Shelter is a great bargain if you’re interested in rescuing a dog, as they come pre-vetted for a $40 adoption fee. Their Director does an outstanding job of photographing the dogs and cats that end up there, and as a result they appear to have a pretty high adoption rate.

House Bill 1176, by Rep. Rich Golick, proposes reduced prison sentences for some offenders and expansion of diversionary and treatment programs. According to the AJC “The governor will need to see changes in the current bill that will bring it back toward the recommendations of the Criminal Justice Reform Council,” said Brian Robinson, Deal’s spokesman. “The process is intended to reduce costs to taxpayers, and it’s his opinion that this bill might actually increase costs.”

Attorney General Sam Olens continues to live up to his campaign promise to revise Open Records and Open Meetings laws. Olens worked on the drafting of SB 397. Walter Jones of the Morris News Service writes that “People on both sides applaud the attorney general for coming up with a revision that incorporates court decisions in the decades since the current law was enacted. ”

Snellville Mayor Kellie Kautz said “It became apparent tonight … that regardless of what appointments I would put up, that this council is not willing to work to move our city forward,” after the City Council rejected two of her nominations to committees. City Attorney Stuart Oberman, appointed by Kautz, resigned after four members of Council voted to retain their own attorney questioning the “quality and accuracy” of Oberman’s advice.

A third ocean port located at St. Mary’s on the Florida border is gaining some support from local residents in Camden County, where the unemployment rate is significantly higher than the state rate. The proposed location already has rail service, is close to I-95 and is on a river channel that already is maintained at 48 feet deep in order to allow passage of Navy submarines to and from King’s Point, but significant hurdles remain. “This strategic property is one of the largest remaining sites in all of coastal Georgia that enjoys navigable water access and has all infrastructure in place,” noted John McDill, chairman of the Camden County Joint Development Authority.